What is the ruling on a woman wearing pants and an embroidered abaya?
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The questioner : And this questioner says that in these days, the wearing of pants has become widespread among women, both the older and the younger ones.
The Shaykh : And what is it?
The questioner : Pants.
The Shaykh : Pants? Yes.
The questioner : And the widespread wearing of decorated abayas. Embroidered ones. We ask you, may Allah reward you with good, to clarify the ruling on that.
The Shaykh : It is forbidden for a woman to wear pants because it is imitating men. Therefore, it is forbidden for a woman in her home and with her husband. The point is not that it merely exposes the awrah (part of the body that must be covered); no, it is because it is imitating men.
As for a woman wearing trousers with a vest on her chest or a shirt on her, there is no problem with that; it is permissible. But the pants that are known as pants, that is not permissible. If this clothing were opened up for women, a great fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) would occur. The woman would tighten it so that it outlines the size of her thigh, buttock, and leg. Then one day, the disbelievers will bring us certain clothes that resemble skin. The woman will come and wear tight pants with clothing that resembles skin. So when she walks, it is said, "This is naked," because it is like her skin. So we see that it is not permissible to wear pants. Yes.
The questioner : The decorated abayas, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : As for the decorated abaya, it is not permissible because it falls under the category of tabarruj (a woman's display of her adornment) with adornment. And what is best is the well-known abaya that a woman places on her head and wraps around her hands so that the hands are not visible. Yes.
The student: There is also what is called a cap, O Shaykh, or a palto.
The Shaykh : Cap?
The student : Yes.
The Shaykh : Heel?
The student: Cap, cap.
The Shaykh : Cap.
The student: Palto.
The Shaykh : Is the cap not an abaya?
The student: I mean, the sleeves are separate and it is not full.
The Shaykh : Yes, but is it on the shoulders or on the head?
The student: On the shoulders.
The Shaykh : All clothing that is on the shoulders actually has a concern, because it highlights the shoulders and the neck, making them visible. And the woman is commanded to cover herself as much as possible. And this is the last question. May Allah bless you. You are now two minutes over.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.
And [I say], "Glory is to You, O our Lord, and praise. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You."
The Shaykh : And what is it?
The questioner : Pants.
The Shaykh : Pants? Yes.
The questioner : And the widespread wearing of decorated abayas. Embroidered ones. We ask you, may Allah reward you with good, to clarify the ruling on that.
The Shaykh : It is forbidden for a woman to wear pants because it is imitating men. Therefore, it is forbidden for a woman in her home and with her husband. The point is not that it merely exposes the awrah (part of the body that must be covered); no, it is because it is imitating men.
As for a woman wearing trousers with a vest on her chest or a shirt on her, there is no problem with that; it is permissible. But the pants that are known as pants, that is not permissible. If this clothing were opened up for women, a great fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) would occur. The woman would tighten it so that it outlines the size of her thigh, buttock, and leg. Then one day, the disbelievers will bring us certain clothes that resemble skin. The woman will come and wear tight pants with clothing that resembles skin. So when she walks, it is said, "This is naked," because it is like her skin. So we see that it is not permissible to wear pants. Yes.
The questioner : The decorated abayas, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : As for the decorated abaya, it is not permissible because it falls under the category of tabarruj (a woman's display of her adornment) with adornment. And what is best is the well-known abaya that a woman places on her head and wraps around her hands so that the hands are not visible. Yes.
The student: There is also what is called a cap, O Shaykh, or a palto.
The Shaykh : Cap?
The student : Yes.
The Shaykh : Heel?
The student: Cap, cap.
The Shaykh : Cap.
The student: Palto.
The Shaykh : Is the cap not an abaya?
The student: I mean, the sleeves are separate and it is not full.
The Shaykh : Yes, but is it on the shoulders or on the head?
The student: On the shoulders.
The Shaykh : All clothing that is on the shoulders actually has a concern, because it highlights the shoulders and the neck, making them visible. And the woman is commanded to cover herself as much as possible. And this is the last question. May Allah bless you. You are now two minutes over.
And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.
And [I say], "Glory is to You, O our Lord, and praise. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You."